D e s e r t E x p o s u r e
June
2009
Bikes for Tykes
Page: 2What they didn't understand was that Rodriguez' reward was fixing the bike and making the kids happy. Soon, people were donating bikes, and a friend, Richard Munoz — "He's a better talker than I am," Rodriguez says — went to some Las Cruces schools to help start the Bikes for Tykes program. At Christmas time, Rodriguez would dress in a Santa Claus outfit and go to the schools to give away the donations.
"But there is too much giving at Christmas," Rodriguez says. So he altered the program to fit later in the school year, though he still does the Santa routine every year for other groups.
He receives no help from large retailers, although he does sometimes get cash donations from companies. He shares the scrapbook flush with photos and letters from some who have donated and from kids who are thoughtful and appreciative. When times are better, Rodriguez also rewards teachers and staff members of some of the schools with donated gifts. That won't happen this year.
In his spare time, of which there seems to be little, Rodriguez is an avid horseman. He has been with the Sheriff's Posse for 20 years, and serves on the USMC Honor Guard.
By now, the younger kids have filed out behind their teachers, like ducklings following a mother duck. The slightly less raucous third-, fourth- and fifth-graders have taken their place.
The routine is the same. Everyone has to quiet down and sit "criss-cross" (legs crossed) on the floor before Fletcher will allow Rodriguez to draw any names.
He has three more bikes to give away, and a number of other small prizes. He draws the first blue ticket and calls out the name of the lucky winner.
A pretty young girl with long reddish hair bounds to the stage to claim her prize. The other children are applauding like mad and calling her name.
She parleys with Fletcher and Rodriguez for a moment. Then Rodriguez announces to the surprised and happy kids that she has passed on the bike, as she has one already, and has asked to select another prize.
The applause tempo reaches fever pitch, as the generous girl selects a huge fuzzy teddy bear and then sits to the side to await having a group photo taken. She cuddles the bear tightly as the other children, teachers and staff members await Jesse Rodriguez's next blue-ticket selection.
Jesse Rodriguez can use your help, either through donation or as a volunteer. Cash is always appreciated, and checks can be made out to Jesse's Bikes for Tykes and sent to 294 Diaz Road, Las Cruces, NM 88007. You can reach Rodriguez at 527-4358 or jessesbikesfortykes@hotmail.com
Senior writer Jeff Berg would never have earned a blue ticket.